On September 11, tech journalist Mark Gurman pointed out that when Apple unveiled the iPhone X in 2017, it didn't just introduce facial recognition technology and a full-screen design; it also set a new benchmark by pricing the smartphone at $1,000 for the first time. Over the past eight years, this price point has largely held steady. The base price of the newly launched iPhone 17 Pro has only seen a modest $100 increase, bringing it to $1,099. However, this price ceiling won't last for long, as Apple is unlikely to keep absorbing tariff costs indefinitely. The company is subtly hinting at the dawn of the $2,000 iPhone era. This year, the 2TB variant of the iPhone 17 Pro Max is priced at $1,999, marking the first instance where an iPhone's price has nearly breached the $2,000 mark. The trajectory is clear, with Apple's inaugural foldable iPhone slated for release next year. Considering that the single-screen iPhone Air is priced at $999 and will share numerous components with upcoming foldable models, Apple's foldable device is expected to cost at least double that of the single-screen version, with storage upgrades, cases, and accessories potentially driving the price even higher.